I WAS saddened to read in The People that many ­charity shops face closure because levels of donated stock are falling.

Unfortunately, people trying to beat the recession and make ends meet are holding on to their goods longer or selling them through the internet.

It’s a shame. Charity shops do a wonderful job for thousands of people young and old and their work should be encouraged.

I will be seeking out anything that I no longer need and give it to a ­charity shop to help the staff carry on with their good work.

Stephen Cross,Chorley, Lancs

I’M due to fly with British Airways in three weeks’ time. Whether my flight will go ahead I do not know. But I do know that I will never book with BA again.

I sympathise with staff if their ­working conditions are not to their liking. But they should ­remember their wages are paid by the ­customers, such as me, who they have been ­messing about.

Gill Hughes,Broxbourne, Herts

With unemployment so high, ­perhaps BA staff should be grateful for having a job. That does not mean they should not fight for a better place of work. Their actions will benefit us all as successful action over conditions in any industry sets a good precedent.

Emma Hardy,Leeds

I FELT sorry for the mother and three children whose car was clamped with them inside when the father stopped to use a cash machine.

The same thing happened to me when I stopped to get cash and my mother was in the car. I told her to move it if someone came along. But the clamper didn’t give her time to get into the driving seat and I had to pay £125.

Leonie Hex,Denbigh, North Wales

YOUR lovely story about Nuala and Austin Conway and their gorgeous babies should prove a great comfort to fellow sextuplet parents Vicky and Adam Lamb. Although they must be grieving terribly at the loss of their son the sight of those Conway babies will give them strength to get through.

Sharron Marks, Peterborough, Cambs

Hats off to David Beckham for going to Afghanistan. I am sure his visit was a great morale booster for the troops.

Our soldiers face great dangers and difficulties every day and it’s ­important that they should know their efforts are appreciated. I am sure that Beckham’s visit will be far more ­appreciated than any visit by a ­pampered, pen-pushing politician.

S Sawyer,Orpington, Kent

KERRY Katona’s at it with a new man. She should concentrate on being a good mum rather than on how many times a day she beds her lover.

Esther Newton,Thatcham, Berks

Children can all too easily ­develop low self-esteem and resort to drastic measures like starvation diets. Your story last week about teenager Megan Armer told of ­someone who has managed to turn her life around. Others aren’t so fortunate and the most vulnerable are easy prey for sinister dieting websites that should be banned.

Margie Heath,Leytonstone, East London

Chancellor George Osborne is right to condemn the astonishing £8.5bn he claims Labour wasted on extravagances in Whitehall.

Sadly, though, history will repeat itself whoever is in Government and in time I am sure we willl be reading about new financial scandals.

Paul Duffy,Whitby, North Yorks

So 17 out of 29 high street travel agents failed to provide an undercover reporter with suitable and fairly priced insurance. Sadly the whole industry seems to see travellers as mug punters.